Ignition device



March 1, 1932. D. L. mm.; 1,847,761'

IGNITION DEVICE Filed May le, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheer l March 1, 1932.

D. L. HITTLE GNITION DEVICE Filed May 16, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet Patented Mu. 1, i932 UNITED STATES [PATENT orrics l Damm L. mr'rtr., or manson, INDIANA, assieiron 'ro Duco-mr consonn-v 'rroim or mnrzasomnmumi, A conromrioir or spawns reunion DEVICE pplioation'led lay 16,

This inventionielates to improvements in ignition devices for internal combustion engines.

It is among the objects ofthe present in 5 vcntion to provide an ignition device for an internal combustion engine, so constructed and arranged as to Vreduce toa substantial minimum, friction between moving parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ignition device with a circuit interrupter su portinor base havin ball bearings engaging oth sides thereof w ereby friction 'is substantially reduced when the base is operated to vary the angular relation between the circuit interrupter audits operating memberto vary the time of sparking impulses for the engine.

A further object of the present inventionis to provide an ignition device with means which substantially eliminate rattling between the moving parts thereof.

Further objects and advantages Iof the resent invention Awill be apparent from the allowing description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of one form of .the 1 present invention is clearly ShOWIl- In the drawings:

ac with the distributor cap removed in order more clearly to showthe circuitinterrupter mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view takenalong the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragment-ar detail sectional view taken substantially ang the line 3-3 ofFig.1. Fig. 4 is atransverse section taken along ythe line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

along the line 5--5 of Figf 2.

Fig. 6 is a detail fragmentary viewtaken spectively of the weights 28 and 27 respete` weight members'27 and 28 into the position Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig.` @takeny i tached to any suitable part ofthe engine, thisk me.; Isei-un 1ra-mme. l Y

tubular portion `22 also forming a journal in which the drive shaft 23 of.v the device is rotatabl supported. y.

lVit in te housing 2O and attached to the drive shaft 23 'is a plate 24, carryin posts 25V and 26 at diametrically opposite si es the-reof.- These posts pivotally support the `centrifugal'iveight members 27 and 28 respectively. A tubular member 29 is'rotatably supported on the smaller diameter .portion -130 4of the drive shaft 23, said tubular por- .tion 29 having diametrically opposite arms 30 and 31 extending therefrom, which arms i. are engaged .by extending lips-32 and 33 retively.

On the arm 30 of the tubular member 29 a post 34 is provided and a similar post 35 is provided on the arm 31 of said member. A spring 37 is connected between posts 26 and vwhile the sprin 38 is connected between posts 25'and 35 of t e weight 27fand arm 31 respectively. These springs normally urge the shown in the Fig. 4. l

The tubular `member 29 providesa cam 39 i having six lobes in this instance. At the top Fig. 1 is a plan view of the ignition device A the drive shaft 23may transmit rotative motion to the tubular member 29 through the weights 27 and 28. lThese weights in turn transmit rotative motion to the arms 30 and 31 through their tongues 32 and 33 respectively, which arms in turn are secured to or form a part of the tubular member 29. 'o

In response to increasing speeds, lweights 27 and 28 will move outwardly, thus tongues 32 and 33 will move counterclockwise about their respective pivot posts 26 and 25 to urge the arms 30 and 31 in a. clockwise rotation in addition to the rotation of said arms by the shaft, thus the cam 39 will be rotated relatively to shaft 23 in the direction of rotation for the purpose of advancing the time of 100 'l0 340i the weight 28 and arm 30 respectively f" the rotor.

sparkin impulses, as will be described more detailed y later.

A distributor cap 45 of any suitable insulating material fits upon the housing 20 and is secured thereto by clips 46, which are hingedly anchored to the annular wall 21. of the housing 20 by hinge clips 47. The distributor cap 45 has a central terminal socket 48 adapted toreceive the high tension wire leading from the secondary winding of the ignition coil used in connection with this ignition device. This socket 48 has a button 49 engaged by the spring pressed button 42 of A plurality of terminals 50, arranged in a circular row about the central vterminal socket 48, have post portions 51 ex-' kltending interiorly of the head 45 and lying in juxtaposition to the circular path taken bythe radial contact element 41 of the rotor 40. It willl be seenthatsparking impulses from the secondary winding of the coil directed to the socket 48 are transmitted through the buttons 49 and 42 respectively through `radial contact element 41 to the proper termiwhich isspun over the form and annular flange 64 which rotatably tits into the central 'opening 62 of the base 60 and thus plate 63 may-be said to `be pivotally supported by the base 61. Base 61 has recesses 65 substantially equally spaced, in each of which there is proeach screw also securing a retainer within the base 61'while the other side of the vided a retainer 66 secured to the base by having tangsextending through openings in the base and turned over. These retainers each contain a ball bearing 67 in such a manner that one side of the ball bearing rides u olii bearing is engaged by the plate 63. Thus plate 63 is supported upon the'base 61 by the inside of the wall 21. Each retainerhas a ball bearing 71 which is urged into engagement with the top surface of ythe plate 63 by said retainer, and thus said plate 63 is maintained in engagement with the ball bearings 67 interposed between plate 63 and base 'From the aforegoing it maybe seen that plate 63 is supported on both sides, top and bottom, upon ball bearings 71 and 67 respectively.

The plate 63 has two spaced angular cxresponsive element 101.

tensions 75 and 76, clearly shown in the Figs. 1 and 6. A spring blade 77 has its ends secured respectively to the angular extensions 75 and 76 of the plate 63. A retainer 78 is secured to the spring blade 77, said retainer 78 containing a ball bearing 79 which is yieldably urged `into engagement with the inner surface of the annular wall 21 of housing 20. The spring 77 thus urges the plate toward the one side of the housing and consequently if any play exists between the annular flange 64 of plate 63 and the opening 62 in the base 61` this pressure of the spring 77 laterally will'substantially prevent rattling ofthe plate 63 due to such imperfect lit with the base.

A terminal bracket 80 is also supported by the angular extensions 75 and 76 of the plate 63, said terminal bracket providing a support for the terminal clip 81,`one end of which is attached to the terminal bracket by the screw stud 82. the other end of which has a slot 83 which tits over the pivot post 92 of the interrupter lever 84, thus maintaining said interrupter lever in proper position upon its pivot post. Terminal clip '81 has a wire 85 connected thereto which leads from the terminal post 86 insulatingly supported by the annular wall 21 ofthe housing. A wire 87 leads from the terminal clip 81 to the condenser 88 as shown in the Fig. 1.

The interruptor of the ignition device is supported upon the rotatable adjustable plate 63. This interrupter comprises a bracket 90 having a stationary contact 91, this bracket being pivotally secured to the post 92 carried bv the plate 63. A clamping screw 93 is adapted to secure bracket 90 in any suitable adjusted position upon the plate 63. An adjusting member 94, eccentrically supported by the plate 63. has a head portion extending into an elongated slot in the bracket 90 whereby. when said adjusting member 94 is operated after screw 93 is loosed. bracket 90 may be pivotallv adjusted about its post 92. The pivot post 92 which. as has been mentioned, has the bracket 90 pivotally secured thereto, also pivotallv supports the circuit breaker lever 84 which has a contact 95 for engagement with contact 91. Lever 84 also has a wearpiece 96 engaged by cam 39. A spring conductor 98 has its one end secured to the terminal bracket 80 by the screw stud 82, the other end is secured to the circuit interruptor lever 84 bv the .same rivet 99 which secures rubbing block 96 thereto.this conductor spring or blade urging the lever 84 counter-clockwise so that a rubbing block 96 is yieldably urged into engagement with the cam 39.

On the outside of housing 2O there is attached a bracket 100 which carries a pressure As shown in the Fig. 3. this pressure responsive element 101 comprises two shell portions 102 and 103, secured together so as to form a chamber therebetween. This chamber is divided into two compartments by a flexible diaphragm 104, the peripheral edge of which is clamped between Vthe shell portions 102 and 103. At the central portion of the diaphragm 104 there is secured a connector button 105 which ex tends outsidethe shell portion 102. Within the chamber formed between the shell portion 103 and the diaphragm 104` a sleeve 106 is attached to the/connector button 105. ,This sleeve member 106 is slidably supported within a tubular cylinder-like'member ,107 secured in an opening in the shell 103. A nin ple 108 is attached to the cylinder part 107, this nipple being adapted to receive a pipe, not shown, but leading from any suit-able suction chamber in the engine. A spring 109'is` interposed between the nipple 108 and the sleeve member 106` this spring normallv urging the diaphragm 104 toward the shell 102. The connections between shell 103 and the cvlinder-like member 107 and nipple 108 are all substantially leak-proof. Connector button 105 has one end of lever 110 attached thereto, this lever extending through an opening 1.11 in the annular wall 21 of the housing and having its inner end 112 secured to the plate 63 in any suitable manner. Preferablv this attachment of lever 110 to theV plate 63 is adjacent its outer peripheral edge. It will be understood that as the engine rotates the. drive shaft 23. said drive shaft.'

as described heretofore, will rotate cam 39,

and thus the lobes of cam 39 will recurrently.

push. the rubbing block 96 to move the circuit interrupter lever 84 to disengage its contact 95 from the stationary contact 91 for the purpose of' circuit interruption to provide sparking impulses.

When the speedof the engine increases. the weights 27 and 28 will. as has been described, transmit an additional rotation to the cam 39. and thus its lobes will earlier engage the rubbing block 96 on the circuit breaker lever in the cycle of the engine operation. thus advancing the time of sparking impulses.

The fluid pressure controlled device 101- 'l operates. in response tol engine suction.

When the suction of the engine increases. the diaphragm 104 is moved toward the vshell 103 against the eil'ect of spring 109, and consequently lever 110 is moved in the same direction. Lever 110 being connected with the plate 63, will rotate said plate.,63 counterjl clockwiseas regards'tlieFigs.` 1 and 4, and

thus the circuit interrupter lever 84 being,

supported on the plate 63 will also be moved counter-clockwise as the rubbing block 96 is moved in a direction-.opposite to the rota-- tion of the cam 39, or more specifically as the rubbing block 96 is moved counter-clockwise,

' the time of contact between the wearpiece 96 and the cam lobes as regards the engine cycle of operation will be advanced and consequently the time of sparking impulses will be advanced in accordance with engine suction conditions.

Applicant in this invention has mounted I simple and compact, and its design is such as to enable it to be commercially produced at y. i

a minimum expense of time andlabor.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes ka preferred form` it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope ot the claims which follow. What is claimed is as follows z` 1. An ignition device for an internal combustion engine comprising, in combination, a. circuit interrupter; a 'member for operating said interrupter; a stationary base; retainers carried by the base, each containing a ball bearing; an adjustable plate seated upon said ball bearings and rotatably engaging the base, said plate supporting the circuit interrupter; andy ball bearings engaging the plate and-urging it rupon the ball bearings carried by the base. j

2. An ignition device for an internal combustion engine comprising, in combination, a circuit interrupter; a member for operating said interrupter; a stationary base; ali adjustable plate; ball bearings interposed between the said plate and base; ball bearings engaging the plate to maintain it upon the aforesaid ball bearings; and means for r0- tatably adjusting the plate. a 3. An ignition device for an internal coinbustion engine comprising, in combination, a

housing; a base within said housing;.a plate u rotatably secured to said base; ball bearings bearings'including retainers secured to the housing,.said bearings engaging the plate to Vmaintain it upon the aforementioned bearv ings; a ball'bearing carried by the plate and engagingthe housing laterally to support the plate; a circuit interrupter on said platej:

means for operating said interrupter; and

, in said housing, having'spaced recesses adj acent its outer edge; retainers secured to the base. one in each recess; a ball-bearing in each retainer; a plate having an annular flange roy tatably engaging an opening in the base, said plate seating upon the ball bearings carried by said base; retainers carried by the housinterposed between the base and plate ;1 ball 1,10

a cup-shapedhousing having an annular Wall; `a stationary base Within said housing, said base having a central aperture; a plate having. an annular fiange'extending in said central aperture, pivotally support-ing the plate, uponthe"y base glball bearings interposed between the 'platel and base; spaced angular projectioi'isl on the plate; a spring blade se-v cured at its endet; the respective projections of the plate Aaretain'er carried by the spring blade; a ball-bearing" in said retainer, urged into engagement with the annular Wall'of the housing by the spring blade, yieldably resisting lateral movement of the plate, substantially to prevent rattling thereof; a cir* cuit interrupter on said plate; means for operating said interrupter; and means extending into the housing and Secured to the plate for rotating'said plate to :vary the angular relation between the interrupter and its operating member.

6; An ignition devieefor an internal comblade; a ball-bearing in said retainer, urged into engagement with the annular Wall of the housing by the spring blade; a terminal bracket secured to one of the angular projeetions of the plate; a terminal clip attached to lthe terminal bracket, said terminalcli'p engaging the circuit breaker lever to maintain it upon its pivot; means for operating the circuit breaker lever; and means extending into the housing and connected with the late for rotating it to adjust the circuit brea er lever relative to its operating member,

In testimony whereof I hereto aliix my signature.

DALPHIN L. HITTLE.

bustion engine comprising, in combination, a r

housing; a distributor cap for said housing; clips hingedly attached to the housing for securing the distributor cap upon said housing; a stationary base within" said housing; an interrupter supporting plate 'pivotally carried by the base; friction reducing bearings interposed between the plate and base; a plurality of retainers; means for securing a respcctive retainer and clip hinge tothe housing; a ball bearing in each retainer, engaging the plate. to maintain ,it upon the friction rev ducing bearings between said plate and base; and means extending into the housing and engaging the plate rotatably to adjust it.

7. An ignition device for an internal combustion engine comprising,inv combination a cup-shaped housing having'an annular Wall; I.

a stationary base Within said housing; a plate pivotally'supported by the base; friction reducingbearings between the plate and base; i

spaced, angular projections on said plate; a circuit intcrrupter carried by the plate, said mterrupter comprising a bracket supporting a contact and a lever pivotally supported on the plate and having a contactfor engaging,y said other Contact; a spring blade secured at of the plate; a. retainer secured 'to the spring its ends tothe respective angular projections u* 

